Etsy Mom Giveaway!

The Etsymom Street Team is prepping for the holidays by taking the time-honored tradition of gift-giving to another level! Riding the wave of unity, harmony and excitement inspired by the Etsymom Trunk Show in September, our team tossed around a few ideas about our next team event. A little idea of having a giveaway, where Moms would donate an item to be given away each day of November on our blog has morphed into a SUPER GIVEAWAY!! When the call for volunteers went out we had an overwhelming response of over 60 shops willing to donate a $10.00 in value item to this cause. Two winners will be randomly chosen everyday to receive one of over 50 prizes.. Donations will range from an assortment of hand embroidery, vintage finds, hair clippies, baby accessories, paper crafts, earthenware pottery and more. Perfect for gift-giving! There is a little bit of everything, so whether you like trendy, shabby chic, traditional or retro styles, you're sure to find something! Don't miss this ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA. Visit us here beginning November 1st for giveaway rules and deadlines!

Love Revolution

I am an official member of the Love Revolution. Lenny Kravitz rocked our little Nova Scotia town last night. WOW! It was an amazing show. I have been a fan for almost twenty years now and he did not disappoint. He put on a high energy show with a group of phenomenal musicians. He whipped the crowd into a frenzy like some kind of messianic god of rock. He strutted, cooed and sang us all into submission. Its hard to imagine a better show than this one. Thanks Lenny! I AM ready for the love revolution!

Thankful

Today I am thankful.


Thankful for the hands that picked the apples.
Thankful for the hands that peeled the apples.
Thankful for the hands that rolled the dough.



Happy Thanksgiving!

Six Random Things

I have been "tagged" in blog game by fellow etsymom cinnamon spice



The game is called Six random things. So here are six random things about me....

1. I love the smell of new books. I can't resist sinking my nose in them and taking a prolonged sniff.

2. I have been practicing yoga twice a week for the last two years and have really grown to love it. OHHHHHMM

3. I wanted to be an archaeologist when I was younger but was frightened away when I found out there would be mathematics involved.

4. I love the Barry Manilow song "Coca Cabana". I can't explain why but I just can't resist it.

5. I have only gone downhill skiing once and, while it was terrifying, I had a great time.

6. My husband and I are hoping to visit Italy in the coming year to celebrate our fortieth birthdays and fifteen years of marriage.

Now it's your turn. I would like to tag some ladies of the etsy sisterhood. The lovely, mommy holly, the wonderful wEtsy Behind the Ears, the talented Beadiful things, and my fellow Canadian Jewlzodonnell's Weblog

To play you must list six things about yourself and then tag up to six people to do the same. Enjoy!
Hope you will join me!

Pickleliscious

I love the fall! I love the cool breezes, the falling leaves and freshly picked apples. Its a great time of the year to bring out all the mason jars and try to capture a little taste of the summer to get you through the long cold winter. I was recently gifted some cucumbers from somebody's garden. Sadly, I have not yet developed a green thumb and my garden clearly reflects that. I dug out my cookbooks and settled on this recipe:

Curry Pickle Slices

2 quarts pickling cucumbers
4 small onions, sliced
1 TBSP pickling salt
2 1/2 cups cider vinegar
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 TBSP curry powder
2 tsp pickling spice
1 tsp each celery seeds and mustard seeds

Cut cucs into thick slices. Place with onions in non reactive container and sprinkle with salt. Let stand 24 hours. Drain and rinse twice.

Combine vinegar, sugar, curry powder, pickling spice, celery seeds, and mustard seeds in large saucepan. Bring to boil. Remove from heat.

Add veg and return to a boil. Remove from heat.

Pack into sterilized jars leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Process for 10- 15 minutes (depending on size of jars)


Smells great, tastes great. I like it. I think, for me, the best part is the smell of the raw onions and cucs after they have been resting together overnight. One of my favorite fall smells!

Cake Hangover

This weekend we celebrated #1 son's birthday with cake. Not one cake. Not two cakes. Three different kinds of cake ladies and gentlemen! I started with chocolate cupcakes with buttercream icing for the children's party. Next, came my mother's frozen peanut butter pie for the celebration with my family. Sunday's celebration was a combo party. Ben and his auntie have birthdays one day apart. It was his suggestion to make a boy/girl cake. I made a coconut layer cake with seven minute frosting and let the boys arrange the cake toppers. Fun and delicious! The best part is that we now have three different types of cake leftovers to enjoy all week long! Cake anyone?

We have a winner!

Congratulations to whimsical creations! You are the proud owner of a new headband!
Thanks so much to everyone who entered the contest. It was so fun to visit all your blogs. You are all a very cool bunch of gals! Come back and visit me again.

Cheers,
Michele